The image is particularly powerful because rainbow hues are now deemed highly subversive in Russia as a promotion of the gay and lesbian world.

MyQualityConnection.com sprung into action alarmed by media reports of antagonistic remarks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin and concern over the law introduced in the country last year allowing police to arrest tourists or foreigners whom they suspect of being gay or lesbian.

President Obama, of course, in a clear message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation to Sochi made up of three openly gay athletes -- tennis great Billie Jean King, 2006 Olympic hockey medalist Caitlin Cahow and figure skater Brian Boitano.

Charles Adams, director of community outreach at MyQualityConnection.com, said, “We’re seriously worried about all of our Olympic competitors, but especially our LGBT athletes since the environment in Sochi is not particularly friendly. We’re seeking to bring attention to this issue to help ensure their safety and show support for them as they embark on not only a physically grueling endeavor but also a mental one.”

Added Adams, “It’s unfortunate that the LGBT athletes have not been left to concentrate on their sport but have to deal with the hostile feelings around them. That’s why we’re asking everyone to use the image we have created as their profile picture as a visual way of demonstrating support for the LGBT athletic community. We’re also asking everyone to spread the image throughout social media.”

The site, http://www.MyQualityConnection.com, which is building a base of users in New York before spreading nationwide, is urging people to adopt the newly-created image as their profile on Facebook and other social media sites and also to share it through Twitter, Google+, Reddit and all other social media platforms.

MyQualityConnection is a dating and social networking site for the LGBT community. It matches individuals based on the criteria and preferences that they post and also allows a search and browse feature for people who want to seek out their own connections. The site’s format is an advance over most dating sites as it doubles as a social networking site. A news feed enables subscribers to view popular posts and subscribe and ‘like’ content. As an alternative to dating, subscribers can opt to use the site to find friends, and network for business or school. Registration is free.